Murphy announces he won’t run for mayor

Credit: Patrick Whittemore

City Council President Stephen J. Murphy will not join the crowded field vying to succeed Mayor Thomas M. Menino and will instead seek re-election to his at-large council seat.

Murphy, who had been mulling a mayoral run for weeks, has withdrawn nomination papers to run for his citywide seat.

“We need a stable force and guiding hand on the city council,” Murphy said in a statement today. “I am ready to provide that continuity and experience. I am passionate about Boston’s future and believe strongly that the best days of our city lie ahead of us . . . It is an honor to represent you on the Boston City Council and I look forward to continuing to work for you.”

Murphy made the decision last night after a dinner at Anthony’s Pier 4 with several close friends and advisers, including Suffolk University vice-president John Nucci, public relations guru George Regan and former Councilor Michael McCormack.

With Murphy out, the field now includes five councilors — John Connolly, Rob Consalvo, Mike Ross, Felix Arroyo and Charles Yancey. Councilor Ayanna Pressley, who had also been considering a run, is instead seeking re-election to her at-large seat.

In addition to running for mayor, Yancey is simultaneously seeking re-election to his Mattapan district council seat, an unusual move that is allowed under city rules. The other councilors in the race are giving up their seats by entering the mayor’s race.

Also in the race are Dorchester state Rep. Martin J. Walsh, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, former Menino aide Charlotte Golar Richie and school committee member John Barros, among others.